The chairman of Egyptian football club Zamalek SC has claimed that a deal has been struck to bring former Brazil star Ronaldinho to the country from Atletico Mineiro.

Mortada Mansour told a local television station that: "Yes, there is an agreement to come. He has an agent, we reached an agreement and he is coming. I want to leave Zamalek fans happy."

When pressed about how the club would finance such a deal, Mansour continued: "With advertising and sales of shirts. And he would get the necessary revenue."

The assertions by Zamalek have come as a shock as it was believed that former World Player of the Year Ronaldinho would see out the remainder of his career at Mineiro, whom he helped win the Copa Libertadores last year.

Since moving to Europe from Gremio in 2001, Ronaldinho has played for PSG, Barcelona and AC Milan, as well as helping Brazil win the FIFA World Cup in 2002.